Mobile Communication Platform for Test System Applications

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication platform for a test facility to monitor various testing devices. The mobile communication platform is configured to transmit data or information to a remote test platform remote from a test facility or laboratory. In embodiments described, the communication platform is configured to interface with the one or more controller units to receive input or output data from the one or more test devices and transmit the input output data to the remote test platform via a messaging protocol initiated by the communication platform coupled to the testing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/596,144, filed Feb. 7, 2012,the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Reference is made to U.S. application Ser. No. ______ entitled“A MOBILE APPLICATION TOOL AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE” and U.S.application Ser. No. ______ entitled “A CLOUD COMPUTING PLATFORM FORMANAGING DATA” filed on even herewith, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Test devices and power equipment are located in fixed locations inlaboratories and test facilities. Thus, to monitor or oversee operationof the many test devices and equipment one must physically go to thefixed location in order to check the status. This limits the ability ofpersonnel to monitor changes or detect problems before they becomesignificant.

SUMMARY

This Summary and the Abstract herein are provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form that are further describedbelow in the Detailed Description. This Summary and the Abstract are notintended to identify key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor are they intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subjectmatter is not limited to implementations that solve any or alldisadvantages noted in the background.

The aspects described below are to various inventive features of amobile communication platform and a method of operation regarding thesame. These aspects need not be present on every system, or method butrather can be combined in any manner or used alone as desired.

The present application relates to a mobile communication platform thatallows personnel to monitor test application remotely so that they canintervene quickly when necessary. The mobile communication platform hasapplication for a test facility to monitor various testing devices. Inembodiment disclosed data from one or more testing devices istransmitted to a remote test platform for access by remote computingdevices. The testing devices access the remote testing platform via aremote communication platform including instructions on one or morehardware components configured to generate and transmit an outboundmessage to the remote test platform and receive an inbound reply messageto transmit data or information to the remote test platform. Inembodiments described, the communication platform is configured tointerface with one or more controller units to receive input or outputdata from the one or more test devices and transmit the input outputdata to the remote test platform in response to the inbound replymessage to transmit data. Thus, as described, the data request from theremote testing platform is responsive to the outbound message from thecommunication platform so that firewall barriers do not restrictexecution of the data request and transmission of the requested data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a remote test platform for providingaccess to test data and status for a test device.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate an embodiment of a communication sequence forinterfacing with a remote test platform illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a remote test platform for providingaccess to test data and status for a plurality of test devices in alaboratory facility.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate embodiments of a remote test platform utilizingimage or bar codes to identify testing devices or components to accessstatus information and data therefor.

FIG. 7 illustrates steps for utilizing an image or bar code asillustrated in FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a display bar for implementing functions of themobile test platform.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate GUI displays for a computing device configured tointerface with the remote test platform to access test data and status.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alert notification generated by an alert functionof the mobile test platform.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a messaging function of the mobiletest platform

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a cloud computing platformincluding maintenance, tech support, product/accessory and usagemeasurement tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Test machines are used to test performance of consumer products,electronics materials, medical and other devices. FIG. 1 illustrates atest device or device 100 used to measure parameters or performance of amaterial specimen 102 secured to a frame 104 of the test device 100. Thetest device 100 shown includes an actuator 106, which is energized toapply loads to the specimen 102. In the embodiment shown, the load isapplied to the test specimen through a movable cross-head 108 coupled tothe frame 104 of the test device. The input force is measured by a loadcell 110 positioned in the load path of the actuator 106. The testdevice 100 includes various sensors and transducer devices 112 tomeasure response to the load input. In the illustrated embodiment, asensor 112 such as a strain gauge is coupled to the specimen to measurestrain. The test device shown also includes a Linear Voltage transducer114 to measure input displacement.

As shown, operation of the actuator 106 is controlled via a servocontroller 116 via input from a system controller 118. The servocontroller 116 and system controller 118 shown include various hardwareand software components to implement control functions of the testdevice 100. Feedback from the sensor or load cell 110, 112 is providedto the system controller 118. As shown, the system controller 118 iscoupled to a computer system 120, such a PC computing device includingone or more hardware components. Connection of the test device 100 tothe computer system 120 provides a program interface to define and setthe control parameters for the test device 100. As shown, the computingdevice or PC 120 includes non-volatile system memory 122 and variousnon-removable data storage devices 124 and removable data storage media125 operable coupled to a processing unit 126 through a bus structure128. Illustrative storage media includes solid state memory devices,hard disc drives and other hardware devices

Operating system and other application modules are stored in systemmemory 122. Various program modules are stored on non-volatile/nonremovable storage media 124. For example, the various programs stored onmedia 124 include a test platform 130 as well as mobile test platformmodules or tools configured to implement various functions of the mobiletest platform as described. Additional data and programs are stored onthe various removable and/or non-removable storage devices. A userinterfaces with the computing device 120 through input devices 140 and adisplay device 142 (schematically shown) to control operations of thetest device 100. Illustrative input devices include one or more of akeyboard, touch screen, pointing device, microphone or mouse andillustrated display devices 142 include a monitor having a graphicaluser interface displayable on a display screen, such as a LCD screen.The computing device 120 interfaces with the system controller 118 ofthe test device through a controller interface 144. Illustratively, thecontroller interface 144 can be implemented through a USB port. Thecomputer 120 is also connected to a wide area network or world wide web(Internet) through a network interface or modem 146 to accessinformation through the Internet.

The test platform modules 130 include application programs that allowthe user to input test parameters and specification through the graphicuser interface on the display device 142. The test parameters definetime, duration and force profile to be applied to the test specimen 102.Different load or test profiles can be applied depending upon differenttest criteria. For example, the test criteria can specify a static loadfor a specified duration followed by intermittent cyclical load. Basedon the input test parameters the test platform modules 130 generatescontrol parameters which are provided to the system controller 118 toprovide control commands to the actuator 106 or other test systemcomponents. Output from the sensors 112, LVDT 114 or load cell 110provides feedback to the system controller 118 or servo controller 116to provide closed loop feedback control of the actuator 106 or testdevice. Output from the sensors 112, load cell 110 and other devices isalso transferred to the computing device 120 and stored to one or moreof the data storage media to store of test data for analysis and review.

In the embodiment shown, the test device 100 communicates with a remotetest platform 150 implemented through a remote server or cloud computingplatform to provide remote access to test data and operating status ofthe test device 100. The remote test platform 150 shown is implementedon computing device(s) similar to computing device 120 and includesremote platform modules or tool 152 operable on the computing device(s)to provide access to device data and operation status of test device 100to one or more remote computing devices described below.

As shown, remote platform functions are implemented through mobile testplatform modules and operating tools 152 on the computing devices 120and/or system controller 118. The mobile test platform modules or tools152 are configured to interface with control units or I/O signals fromvarious device components including the actuator 106, LVDT 114, sensor112 and load cell 110 shown in FIG. 1 to retrieve data which istransmitted to the remote platform 150 through a remote communicationplatform 154 to provide mobile or remote access to test device 100 andvarious types of data of the test device 100. As shown, test data,including data from the sensor, load cell, actuator and sensors isprovided from the system controller 118 to the remote test platform 150for access by remote or mobile computing devices, such as but notlimited to mobile or cellular phones 156, tablets 157, laptop orportable computers 158 and remote desktop computers (not shown in FIG.1), each of which can have functional elements similar to that ofcomputing device 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the remote testplatform 150 is external to a fire wall 164.

Data is transferred via the remote communication platform 154 to theremote test platform 150 through a communication interface or port ofthe controller (not shown) or computer device over a communication link.Illustratively the communication link is a cable or wirelesscommunication link or combination of a cable and wireless communicationlink. Large amounts of test data and/or status events can be transmittedusing a real time streaming protocol or long polling algorithms such asComet algorithms or Websocket Protocol, for example to respond to datarequests from mobile or remote computing devices to provide test data tothe remote or mobile devices. As shown, data from test device 100 suchas test data is stored to a data cache 160 or data store 162 of theremote test platform 150 at least temporarily or otherwise in a mannerwhere it can be transmitted to one or more of the mobile or remotedevices as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, data from test device 100such as test data and/or status events (e.g. whether the test device 100is performing the test or has stopped) can be transmitted through theremote test platform 150 to one or more of the mobile or remote devices156 and rendered to the user thereof in real time. As used herein, “realtime” means the data is rendered without intentional delay, given theprocessing limitations of the components of the overall system and thetime required to accurately measure or otherwise ascertain the data. Inthe embodiment shown, remote communication platform 154 is part of thecontroller 118 but as will appreciated by those skilled in the art couldbe implemented as a separate unit or through the computing device 120.Moreover, it should be understood that the depiction, arrangement and/ordescription of all of the various modules, interfaces, components andthe like herein are done so for the purposes of understanding thepurpose or role of such elements and should not be considered limiting,but rather that such modules, interfaces, components and the like can becombined together or separated as desired. Illustratively the mobiletest platform modules 152 implement various functions such as settingalerts, implementing maintenance functions, status updates and remoteaccess to test data. As previously described, test data can betransmitted as a data stream to remote computing devices and decoded bya real time player or decoder. The decoded data is displayed on a GUIdisplay 182 of the remote computing device. In one embodiment, themobile test platform modules 152 include a summary algorithm to generatesummary data from the i/o data or otherwise pertaining to the testdevice 100 for transmission to the remote test platform 150 andsubsequently to a mobile or remote device. For example, mobile testplatform modules 152 can include a computer based procedure to gathercertain data stored in the system controller 118 and/or computing device120 relevant to a problem occurring on the test device 100, summarizingsuch data and/or packaging such data, which is then provided to remotetechnical support personnel for diagnosing and/or servicing the problem.

In yet another embodiment, mobile test platform modules 152 can includea computer based procedure herein illustrated as a usage tool 366 (FIG.14) to gather information related to usage of the test device 100 suchas but not limited to amount of time the test device 100 was operatingand/or performing a test, the number of cycles of the actuator(s) 106overall, and/or related to the level of performance or usage that thetest device was run at, for example, as measured with reference to themaximum capabilities of the test device 100 such as amount of time thedevice was operated above a certain level (e.g. based on full loadcapabilities of the actuator(s) such as overall time operated with theactuator(s) applying 25% or less of full load, overall time operatedwith the actuator(s) applying between 26% to 50% of full load, overalltime operated with the actuator(s) applying 50% or more of full load;based on cyclical rate of the actuator(s) such as overall time operatedwith the actuator(s) cycling at less than 10% of maximum rate, overalltime operated with the actuator(s) cycling at a rate between 11%-75% ofmaximum rate, overall time operated with the actuator(s) cycling at 76%or more of the maximum rate; and/or based on a level of hydraulic powerneeded to operate the test device 100 such as overall time operatedrequiring 10% or less of full load capabilities of the hydraulic powersupply unit (not shown) powering the test device 100, overall timeoperated requiring between 11%-25% of full load capabilities of thehydraulic power supply unit, or overall time operated requiring morethan 26% of full load capabilities of the hydraulic power supply unit,where the cited examples or not intended to be a complete list of eachpossible parameter, but rather merely examples).

It this point it should be noted that the foregoing examples of usage ofthe test device 100 can also serve as a basis for ascertaining the priceto be paid by the user, at least in part. For example, any or all of thecited examples of usage or other parameters or measures indicative ofusage can have an associated cost such as each percentage or range ofpercentages of usage has an associated cost, where higher demands placedon the test device 100 have a corresponding higher cost. Then, the totalcost to the user for using the test device 100 or other associatedequipment such as the hydraulic power supply unit, for example, for anydesired time period can be calculated by adding together the costs foreach individual time of usage, an invoice or the like can then begenerated and reported to the owner of the equipment.

In yet a further embodiment, any or all of the foregoing measures orother measures of usage can be used by maintenance tool 360 to ascertainwhen service or maintenance is required for the test device 100. Forexample, any or all of the cited examples of usage or other parametersor measures indicative of usage can have an associated wear or damageunit such as each percentage or range of percentages of usage has anassociated wear or damage unit, where higher demands placed on the testdevice 100 have a corresponding higher wear or damage unit. Then,maintenance can be based on when a certain amount of wear or damageunits have been obtained, or other thresholds with respect to themeasures of usage have been exceeded. The ability of the mobile testplatform modules 152 on each test machine 100 in communication with theremote test platform 150 for delivery to a remote computer usercommunicating with the remote test platform 150 based on a schedule orbased on request is particularly useful, advantageous and/or efficient.If desired, data indicative of usage and/or data indicative of wear ordamage units together with information already known about the teststation, test device or related equipment such as but not limited toage, model, and accessories, can be used by a tech support tool 362and/or product/accessory support tool 364 (FIG. 14) to generate anestimate of the costs for an upgrade, or an estimate of the value ofsaid equipment, which can be provided directly or indirectly viaplatform 150 to the test device user and/or one or more remote or mobilecomputing devices.

A user can interface with the remote computing devices through variousinput devices such as touch screen input devices or keyboards toremotely access test data and status information. Thus, as described,the mobile test platform provides the user with remote/real time accessto the status of testing operations while away from or remote from thetest device. In one application, the devices link to the data in theremote test platform 150 through an Internet URL address. The URLaddress includes address location of the remote test platform 150 andaddress information identifying the user and the specific test device.Thus, the remote test platform 150 processes the URL address to locateand transmit the specific test data or test information for the user'stest device.

The mobile or remote computing devices use one or more mobileapplication tools 155 to access the remote test platform 150.Illustratively, the mobile application tools 155 include instruction andcode to input URL or user or device identification to interface with theuser's test station or devices 100. The mobile application tools 155also include instructions to process test data from the data stream andgenerate the graphical user interface display on the mobile phone 156,tablet computing device 157, portable computing device 158 or otherremote computing devices not shown in FIG. 1. The mobile applicationtools 155 can be downloaded from the remote test platform 150 andinstalled in the remote computing device. The test platform definesdifferent data types, objects and GUI displays for different devices.The mobile phone, tablet or other computing devices use objects and codeto display the test data and interface with the test platform toretrieve and request data.

In particular, the tools include a logon function to receive an accessinput such as a username and password or other access input such as aembedded code on a chip or bar or QR code. It should be noted thatapplication of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is not limited to atest machine of the type illustrated in FIG. 1. For example in analternate embodiment, data from a controller for an orthopedic testsystem can be transmitted to the remote test platform for remote access.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate a communication sequence for interface between oneor more test devices 100-1, 100-2 at a test facility separated from theremote test platform 150 by firewall 164 or electronic screeningapplication. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile communication platform 152is programmed or configured to generate an outbound message to theremote test platform 150. The outbound message 200 may be generatedbased upon a system status change, such a test completion status, alertstatus or maintenance status. In response to the outbound message 200,the remote test platform 150 generates a message reply 202 to requesttest or other data. In response to the message reply, the remotecommunication platform 154 transmits the requested data such as statusalerts, test data, maintenance data or other data. As shown in FIG. 2,in response to the outbound message 200, the remote test platform 150determines if any remote or mobile computing devices are requesting dataand or an alert is pending and if so (or requests first initiated by themobile or remote device 156) generates the reply message 202 for therequested data. As indicated above such messaging can be performed usinglong polling or Websocket protocols. Data can be requested by the mobileor remote computing device to the remote test platform 150 throughactivation of a status alert or data request function inputted by a userthrough input devices of the computing device 120 or various remotecomputing devices 204.

FIG. 3 illustrates the communication sequence between the controller 118or test device 100 and the remote test platform 150 as previouslyillustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in step 210, the communication platform154 generates the outbound message 200 to the remote test platform 150to invoke an inbound reply message 202 (albeit possibly delayed in time)for data from the remote test platform 150. The inbound or outboundmessages can include a requested data type for transmission. In step212, the communication platform 154 receives the inbound reply message202. In response to the inbound reply message 202, the remotecommunication platform 154 interfaces with controller 118 to retrieveand format test data or information from the controller 118 using ifneeded mobile test platform modules 152 as exemplified above. In step216, the communication platform 150 transmits the data to the remotetest platform 150. The outbound message 200 can be generated based upona change in test status or in response to an alert implemented viamobile platform modules 152 in response to user input, or otherwise sentrepeatedly waiting for a remote or mobile computer user to inquire uponits status or current location in a test performed on a test specimen.In response to the outbound message 202, the remote test platform 150can poll or otherwise wait for a request from the remote or mobilecomputing devices to determine if a data request or alert is pending andgenerates the reply message 202 to request data to respond to the datarequest or alert for particular test device(s) at a particular testfacility. Illustrative data includes run state, interlock state, signalvalues and station logs, hydraulic power unit on/off status, andlow/high status, test status, test running time, cycles completed, forcedata, displacement data, maintenance alerts, failure data, commandedforce and/or displacement data, a test run/hold/stop status or otherdata. The requests made upon the test device 100 can come from and beprovided to one or more mobile devices 156, where requests made upon thetest device 100 can be different for each mobile device user. The remotetest platform 150 can maintain user account information for each userthat accesses the remote test platform indicating which test device 100or collection of test devices 100 the user has authority to access aswell as information pertaining to what authorized requests can be madeupon each or a collection of test devices 100.

In one embodiment, the remote test platform 150 maintains a queue foreach test device 100 connected thereto containing all requests made tothe test device 100 from one or more users of the mobile or remotedevices 156. The requests can be embodied in the remote reply messages202 in first-in-first-out basis, or based on some priority if desired.It should be noted that the requests made to the test device 100 and theresponses therefrom need not be limited to inquiring as to the status,obtaining real time test data, or summary of information as describedabove, but could also take the form of communications between the mobiledevice user(s) having access to the test device and/or the operator ofthe test device 100. Such communications can be text messages, imagemessages, audio and/or video clips rendered to each of the users usingthe GUI and necessary hardware (e.g. monitor and/or speakers) dependingupon the hardware and processing capabilities of the mobile computingdevice 156, the remote test platform 150 and the remote communicationsplatform 154. Communication provided through the remote test platform150 when the user of the test device 100 and/or the users having accessto the test device 100 is particularly efficient since one or both users(which can also include communications just between users of mobiledevices 156) attention is focused on performance or use of the testdevice 100. Likewise, in situations when such users may not be at thetest device 100 or a remote user is not connected to receive data fromthe test device 100, messages can be stored, for example, at the remotetest platform 150 and provided to the user at the test device 100 orwhen connection is made with a remote or mobile device 156. Again, thisis particularly efficient since notification and/or delivery of thestored communication is provided when the user's attention is nowfocused on the test device 100. The GUI can initiate capture orrecording of each of the various types of communications with selectionof a corresponding button or the like by the user on the GUI.

FIG. 4 illustrates a test application for a test facility having aplurality of test devices at a plurality of test stations 220. In theillustrated embodiment the controller 118 communicates with the testdevices of a plurality of test stations 220, 222 through one or morecommunication channels 224, 226 connected to each test station (only oneshown in FIG. 4). The controller 118 transmits input commands and outputover the one or more communication channels to interface with one ormore control units of the testing device such as sensor, actuator, loadcell and LVDT (not shown in FIG. 4). Illustrative input/output includescommanded force or displacement and feedback force or displacement. Thecontroller receives i/o data from the control units and provides thedata to the mobile communication platform 154 through the communicationchannels 224, 226 for transmission to the remote test platform 150. Asshown, PC computers 120 for operating each of the test stations 220, 222can be connected to the controller 118 through a router 230 or connecteddirectly to the controller through, for example, a USB port connectionor direct ethernet connection. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontroller 118 includes a user interface to activate various functionsof the mobile test platform.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a test device implementing amobile communication platform as previously described. In the embodimentthe testing apparatus or device has an ID code 200 (identification) todistinguish multiple test devices and the data therefor. The ID code isassociated with an image such as a bar or QR code 202, which is affixedto the test device 100. The pattern of the image or bar code is storedin memory of the system controller 118 or computing device 120 shown andthe remote test platform 150. Test data from the device is stored in thecache or data store 160, 162 of the remote test platform utilizing theID code 200. As shown, the mobile device (or other remote computingdevice—not shown) equipped with a camera 240 is used to access datautilizing image or bar code 202 affixed to the test device 100. Thecamera 242 captures an optical image 244 of the bar code 240 andprovides a digital image of the bar code to a reader application 245.The digital image is processed by the reader application 245 to providean alphanumeric URL code 240 or the like which is used to accessinformation or data for the test device 100 from the remote testplatform 150. In alternate embodiments, near field communication toolsare used to provide the code. In such embodiments the mobile or remotecomputing device uses a radio to retrieve an embedded code on a chip(NFC chip or tag) when the radio is held closely to the chip. The codeis then used an the access input to access information or data for thetest device through the remote or mobile computing device.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the components of thetest device 100, including sensor, actuator, LVDT, and load cell andcontroller components include identification codes. In the embodimentshown, components of the test machine are identified by separateidentification or image codes. In particular as shown, the actuator,load cell, LVDT, frame and various sensors include codes to accessspecific data for each of the components separately. The specific datacan be used to perform maintenance checks as previously described orretrieve technical data. The image or bar codes on the actuator 106,load cell 110, LVDT 114 and sensor 112 provides a component ID or URLseparate from the device 100. Data transmitted includes an associateddevice ID or component ID to distinguish the source of the data. A usercan access test or maintenance data for the device or any component ofthe device 100 using the image or bar codes as previously described withrespect to FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates method steps for accessing the test data on theremote test platform 150 through a mobile or remote device using thecamera 242 on the mobile device and image or Q/R code (e.g. matrix barcode) affixed to the device 100. As illustrated in step 250, an inputimage of the bar code is captured via the camera 242 to generate adigital image 244 of the bar code. The digital image is processed by abar code reader 245 as illustrated by step 252 to provide the device IDor code. In step 254 an interface to the remote test platform is invokedto transmit the code and mobile device address. As illustrated by step256, the mobile or remote device receives data feeds or alerts for thetest device corresponding to the device code or URL address.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a GUI display bar 260 which can bedisplayed through the display device 142 of the computing device 120 orthrough a display device of the system controller (not shown). The GUIdisplay bar 260 is implemented through the test platform modules ortools 152 on the computing device 120 or system controller 118. As shownthe GUI display bar 260 allows the user to enable/disable alerts, sendthe URL for the test lab or facility to remote computing devices usinge-mail or text messaging and change or set equipment states for the testdevice(s). In particular selection of message icon 261 allows the userto e-mail or text message a link through the PC computing device 120 inthe lab to the user's remote computing device. Selection of the linkretrieves data and information for the test devices to provide a GUIdisplay as shown in FIGS. 9-11 on the user's remote computing device.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate various GUI displays for remote computing devices204 to provide access to test data and status. As previously described,the remote test platform or system can be utilized to provide data toremote computing devices such as desk top computer, portable computersor tablets. To provide remote access, the computer or tablet includesthe mobile application tools 155 and modules to access test data, statusinformation and activate alerts. The tools or modules on the computer ortablet are configured to generate various GUI to interface with themobile or remote test platform 150. The GUI 270 illustrated in FIG. 12illustrates a lab view display to recreate the layout of a test lab orfacility 272 including a plurality of test devices or stations 100. Sucha GUI being representative of the physical locations or general layoutof the test devices in the test lab or facility 272 is particularlyuseful since the user of such a display can more readily and/oraccurately identify a desired test device to which requests will be madebecause the position and/or relationship of icons for the test devices100 on the GUI corresponds to that of the test facility 270. As shownthe GUI 270 includes menu portion 272 and a display portion 276. Themenu portion 274 includes a menu of test devices or equipment selections276 in addition to non-test device icons such as lab and furnitureselections 278. The ability to include non-test device icons/elements inthe GUI further aids the user in readily and accurately identifying thecorrect test device icon for the desired test device to which requestsare made. As shown, the lab and furniture selections 278 include deskicons, chair however, application is not limited to particular furniturearticles but can include structural elements of the lab facility such aswalls (exterior and/or interior), partitions and the like as well aselements therein such as windows, doors or other openings.

To interface with the GUI 270 shown, an input or pointing device is usedto select and position the test device and, if desired, non-test deviceicons (e.g. furniture) selections 277, 278 on the display portion 276 torecreate the actual arrangement or layout of the lab 272. Thus, user canarrange the display portion 276 to match the arrangement of the teststations in the lab so that the user has a quick reference to varioustesting devices 100 based upon location in the physical laboratory orfacility. In the illustrated embodiment, the test device selections 277include test stations or device icons corresponding to actualrepresentations in the lab. The icons or selections for the test stationare generated based device information for the test stations transmittedfrom the remote test platform 150 to the GUI 270 utilizing URL or otheridentifications for the one or more test devices or facilities.

As appreciated by those skilled in the art the user or labidentification can be transmitted through a URL address or the user orlab identification can be inputted in response to an input prompt aswell as through bar codes as previously described. FIG. 10 illustrates alab view summary 280 of each of testing devices for one or more testingstations. As shown, the lab view summary 280 provides the computingdevice for each testing device, communication channels or station, runtime and other information. A user can toggle between the lab overview270 and lab summary 280 via input selections 285, 286. FIG. 11illustrates a GUI for a single station view 290 for a particular testdevice. As shown, the single station view provides more detail dataincluding command and feedback data. The single station view 290 isgenerated using a drill down function upon selection of a single testdevice icon or selection. Data for the single test device is retrievedfrom the remote test platform 150 in response to activation of the drilldown function using for example using communication protocols previouslydescribed.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alert notification implemented through an alertfunction of the mobile test platform tools 152. In the illustratedembodiment, the alert function is a test complete function alert. Asshown, implementation of the alert/notification function generates theoutbound message 200 to the remote test platform 150. In response to themessage 200, the remote test platform 150 generates the reply message202 to request the alert/notification. Alternatively, the test platformmay send a notification to the remote test platform whenever asignificant event occurs. The remote test platform will determine if anymobile device or user wants to be alerted of this event. If so then theremote test platform 150 alerts the mobile or remote computing devicethrough appropriate methods. As previously described, in response to thereply message 202 the notification data is transmitted through theremote test platform to the mobile device. As shown thealert/notification display 295 includes a notification that the test runfor Station I is complete and includes a link 296 to view a data log forthe test data store in the remote test platform 150.

In illustrated embodiments, the test platform can send a message 200 tothe remote test platform 150 requesting which things it should watch andtell the remote test platform about when they happen. The test platformcan then monitor these things (e.g. such as a limit on a signal) andwill send a message to the remote test platform 150 when that specifictrigger occurs. The remote test platform 150 can then act accordinglyand alert remote devices or users that the trigger has occurred. Thismethod is helpful when alerts are requested faster than the testplatform can send them to the remote test platform 150, or to reducebandwidth so the test platform 150 can make the decision of when thealert occurs instead of delaying the decision until the remote testplatform gets the information.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary messaging function implemented throughmobile test platform modules and tools 152 as previously described. Asshown, a user at the test station can enter a message post 300 though asticky note via input devices of the computing device 120. In responseto the input message post 300, the communication platform 154 transmitsthe message to the mobile or remote computing device utilizingcommunication protocols previously described.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cloud based maintenance or service platform 350.In the illustrated embodiment, the platform is used to monitor and/orservice multiple stations at sites A and B 352, 354. As shown andmentioned above, the platform 350 includes the maintenance tool 360,tech support tool 362, product/accessory support tool 364 and usagemeasurement tools 366. The tools are configured to interface withpowered devices, such a hydraulic actuators or other power devices atsites A and B via communication protocols as previously described. Themaintenance tool 360 uses maintenance data from controller units ordevices of site A or Site B to issue maintenance alerts and schedulemaintenance procedures. Maintenance data can be calculated based upondamage unit calculations using hours of use to calculate the maintenancestatus as, cycle counts, the amount of force applied over a time periodwith higher forces accounting for example previously described moredamage units than smaller forces.

The tech support tool 362 utilizes technical information for stationdevices to provide technical support to users through remote computingdevice 204 or mobile devices. The type and model of the devices areidentified based upon associated device and station codes. The productsupport tools 364 provide product or accessory suggestion for users ofstation or test devices through the GUI at the test device 100 and/orthe mobile and remote devices 156. For example, tech support tool 362generate a message and sent to the remote test platform 150, which isthen subsequently rendered by the station device, test device and/ormobile device 156 having a known association with the testing device100. The corresponding GUI can generate a button, link, icon or otherform of user selectable feature to obtain further information related tothe message. For example, activation of the user selectable feature candirectly or indirectly (through the remote test platform 150)transmitted to the tech support tool 362. The tech support tool 252 canthen transmit further information concerning the possible accessory(such as connecting the user to an online catalog or personnel equippedto take the order and/or answer questions), product update information,information concerning maintenance just to name a few type of furtherinformation. Usage tools 366 can automatically interface with thenecessary controllers to retrieve usage parameters related to thecurrent state of the test device or test station, such as but notlimited to use time or cycles for the device if such current stateinformation is needed by the tech support tool 362. Information from thetools 360, 362, 364, 366 can be broadcasted to remote computing device(not shown) or mobile device as previously described. As shown,information from the tools is also transmitted or broadcasted to amanagement device 370 for central control. Management device 370 can bea desk top computer or server. Maintenance information provided to themanagement device is used to monitor and schedule maintenance forstation devices. Usage information provided to the management device 370can be used to monitor service agreement and determine billing amountsfor a service contract based upon usage.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above ashas been determined by the courts. Rather, the specific features andacts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile test platform for a testing systemincluding one or more testing devices operated through one or morecontroller units through an input/output interface to provide inputcommands to the one or more testing devices and receive output test datafrom the one or more testing devices comprising a communication platformincluding instructions on one or more hardware components configured togenerate and transmit an outbound message to a remote test platformhaving a remote data store and receive an inbound reply message totransmit data or information to the remote test platform and thecommunication platform is configured to interface with the one or morecontroller units to receive input or output data from the one or moretest devices and transmit the input output data to the remote testplatform in response to the inbound reply message to transmit data. 2.The mobile test platform of claim 1 wherein at least one of a mobile orremote computing device is configured to interface with the remote testplatform to remotely access data from the one or more testing devices.3. The mobile test platform of claim 2 wherein the outbound message fromthe communication platform initiates a communication sequence includinga message from the remote test platform to poll one or more mobile orremote computing devices for requests for data and provide the inboundreply message to transmit data if the one or more mobile or remotecomputing devices polled requests data.
 4. The mobile test platform ofclaim 1 wherein one of the outbound or inbound messages includes one ormore requested data types and the communication platform uses the one ormore requested data types to interface with the one or more controllerunits to retrieve and transmit the input output data to the remote testplatform.
 5. The mobile test platform of claim 4 wherein the one or morerequested data types comprise test status, test running time, cyclescompleted, force data, displacement data, interlock status, maintenancealerts, failure data.
 6. The mobile test platform of claim 1 wherein theone or more test devices comprise one or more of a load cell, actuatorand sensor devices.
 7. The mobile test platform of claim 1 wherein theoutbound message is triggered in response to completion of a testingcycle, elapsed time period or alert message.
 8. The mobile test platformof claim 1 wherein the communication platform includes a summaryalgorithm configured to receive i/o data from the one or more controllerunits and generate summary data for one or more testing devices andtransmit the summary data to the remote data store of the remote testplatform in response to the inbound reply message to transmit data. 9.The mobile test platform of claim 1, wherein the platform includes aplurality of testing devices and the communication platform utilizes oneor more facility or device identification codes or locator to transmitthe data to the remote test platform.
 10. The mobile test platform ofclaim 1 wherein the mobile test platform includes a maintenance moduleor tool configured to monitor maintenance status of the one or moretesting devices and provide maintenance status data to the communicationplatform to transmit to the remote test platform.
 11. The mobile testplatform of claim 10 wherein the maintenance platform uses damage unitcalculations using algorithms to calculate the maintenance status. 12.The mobile test platform of claim 1 comprising usage tool or moduleconfigured to monitor usage of the one or more test devices and provideusage data to the communication platform to transmit the usage data tothe remote test platform.
 13. The mobile test platform of claim 1comprising an alert module configured to set a system alert to detect achange in test status or completion of a test and provide an alertmessage to the communication platform to transmit to the remote testplatform.
 14. A mobile data platform comprising: one or more platformmodules or tools including instructions on one or more hardwarecomponents configured to interface with one or more controller units togenerate summary data from i/o data from one or more devices; and amobile communication platform configured to receive the one or more ofusage, status or maintenance data and transmit an outbound message to aremote platform having a remote data store and receive an inbound replymessage to transmit the summary data.
 15. The mobile data platform ofclaim 15 wherein the mobile communication platform generates theoutbound message in response to a use or maintenance status change orevent.
 16. A method comprising: transmitting a message to a remoteplatform to invoke a response to transmit data; receiving the responseto transmit data; processing i/o data from one or more controller unitsof a testing device; and transmitting the i/o data from the testingdevice to the remote testing platform.
 17. The method of claim 16wherein the response to transmit data is generated based upon pollingfeedback from one or more remote computing devices regarding status ofdata requests.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the step oftransmitting the data comprising summarizing the i/o data from the oneor more controller units and transmitting the test data summary.
 19. Themethod of claim 16 wherein the message to the remote test platform toinvoke a reply message to transmit data is generated based upon a changein operating status of the testing device or completion of a testingprocedure or cycle.
 20. The method of claim 16 and comprisingimplementing an alert function of test platform for one or more testdevices; transmitting the outbound message to the remote test platformto invoke a message reply to transmit an alert message in responseactivation of an alert; and receiving the reply message to transmit thealert message and transmitting the alert message to the remote testplatform.